Do electric fires need a flue or chimney?

Do you need a flue for an electric fire?

No, electric fires do not need a flue because they do not burn fuel and therefore do not produce smoke, soot or carbon dioxide.

Since no smoke, carbon monoxide or other combustion gases are being created, there are no flue gases to take away from the appliance. For that reason, there is no need to install a flue with an electric fire.  While wood-burning stoves, multi-fuel stoves, open fires and gas fires all need a flue, you don't have to install a chimney with an electric fire.

What does a flue do?

A flue, like a chimney, is a passage that safely carries combustion gases from an appliance to the outside of a building. In appliances that burn gas, wood, coal or oil, burning these fuels produces gases and, in some cases, smoke and particulates that must be safely discharged.

In most cases, a flue pulls air from an appliance upwards and outside. This is essential so a solid fuel and gas appliance can get rid of smoke and gases, and to keep the appliance working efficiently when a fuel is being burnt.

For example, in a wood-burning stove or open fire you will be burning logs or coal. Gas fires and gas boilers both burn gas. Oil heating and appliances burn oil. In each case, flue gases and smoke are created as a byproduct of the fuel being burnt. These fumes need an escape route, which is up the flue and out of the property.

Equally, the flow of air into the appliance and through the flue system is essential for an efficient burning process. Oxygen is needed so the fuel will burn.

Why doesn't an electric fire need a flue or chimney?

Unlike the examples we gave above – such as logburners, gas fires and oil central heating – nothing is being burnt in an electric fire. There is no real fuel in an electric fire. Instead, electric fires rely on realistic LED flame effects, plus decorative logs and fuel beds.

Since there is no burning and no gases, a flue is not required. Instead, the heat is generated at the press of a button. Find out more about how electric fires work in this article.

Why have I seen an electric fire with a flue?

Some electric fires can be fitted with a flue to create the impression of a solid fuel appliance. This is particularly true of electric stoves, which are designed to look like woodburners. For example, Ezee Glow offers a decorative flue pipe for electric fires to be installed with its electric stoves.

What do electric fires need instead of a flue?

Electric fires required very little in order to operate correctly. We've already established that they don't need a flue. The only things electric fires need to operate safely and effectively are:

Correct vent positioning

Appropriate positioning of the air intake and output vents, so that they can function correctly. For example, in built-in electric fires and media wall electric fires, the vents need to be front-facing. As long as the air can flow in and out of the electric fire freely, there is normally no need for external air vents.

Space for ventilation

You need to leave enough space around an electric fire to allow for air flow around the appliance. The clearance distances around an electric fire will be detailed in the manufacturer's product manual. Allowing the required space around an electric fire helps to prevent it overheating.

The manufacturer's installation instructions should always be followed, particularly for built-in and media wall installations.

Regular plug socket

To get started with an electric fire, you need only a regular socket into which you can plug the appliance. For that reason, installing an electric fire is incredibly straightforward.

Can you put an electric fire in a chimney breast or existing fireplace?

Yes, an electric fire can be installed in an existing fireplace or chimney breast. But you need to choose an electric fire that is suitable for this sort of installation and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Installing an electric fire in a chimney breast or fireplace usually requires an inset electric fire or cassette fire. In some cases, a back panel may be needed behind the fire. Since the chimney does not need to function as a flue for the electric fire, it's also a good idea to block the chimney or fit a cap on the flue terminal before installing the appliance.

The benefits of electric fires having no flue

The fact that electric fires don't need a flue is a reminder of some of the key benefits of having an electric fire in your home. That is because the same factors that make a flue or chimney unnecessary are also key reasons for buying an electric fire. They include:

Electric fires are very safe

Electric fires don’t have the intense heat of some appliances because nothing is being burnt. They also don’t pose the same risk of carbon monoxide fumes for the same reason.

Electric fires are very easy to install

Electric fires don’t need the construction work throughout the full height of the house that might be needed for some appliances. Since you don't need to build a chimney or install a flue, getting an electric fire is as simple as putting it in position and plugging it in, which keeps installation costs down.

Electric fires are incredibly versatile

You only need a regular plug socket to install your electric fire, which means you can place it almost anywhere and in any room. You don't have to worry about positioning it near a chimney or installing a flue. That means you can treat your room as a blank canvas when deciding where the appliance should be positioned.

Electric fires are clean and soot-free

We've discussed how nothing is burnt inside an electric fire. This means electric fires are a very clean heating appliance for your home. There is no smoke, flue gases or soot, which means far less dust and grime than you might have to clean with other heating appliances. 

You only pay for what you need with an electric fire 

The heat from an electric fire starts immediately when you switch it on and stops when you turn the fire off. An appliance with a flue system may involve a lighting process, a slow start while the fuel starts to burn, and a gradual process of extinguishing or cooling down when your home reaches a suitable temperature. An electric fire offers greater control.

Ready to buy an electric fire?

Confirming that electric fires do not need a flue might have convinced you that an electric fire is the perfect option for your home. If you're thinking about installing an electric fire in your home, feel free to explore our range of electric fires to find the right one for you.

Browse electric fires